Water conservation system for evaporative cooler

ABSTRACT

A water conservation system for an evaporative cooler includes one or more probes located proximate to one or more evaporative cooler pads of an evaporative cooler. The probe(s) can detect a resistance level, a humidity level, and or a moisture level associated with the evaporative cooler pad. A controller communicates with the probe(s) and a valve for delivering water to the evaporative cooler pad, wherein the controller automatically turns the valve on or off, depending upon the moisture, resistance and/or humidity detected by the probe(s) in order to conserve water during operations of the evaporative cooler. Sensors can thus be utilized to detect the moisture level, humidity and/or resistance of the pad(s) to control the operation of a water pump for the delivery of water to the pads(s).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/187,622 filed on Jun.16, 2009, entitled “Water Conservation System for Evaporative Cooler,”which is hereby incorporated by reference. The present applicationfurther claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/218,141 filed on Jun. 18, 2009, entitled“Water Conservation System for Evaporative Cooler,” which is herebyincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments are generally related to the field of evaporative coolers.Embodiments are also related to the conservation of water usage inevaporative coolers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Evaporative coolers are well know and used in warm dry climates to bothraise the humidity and cool the air. Evaporative coolers, also known asswamp coolers function by drawing air from outside through a mediasoaked with water. As the air flows through the soaked media water isevaporated by the outside air thereby lowering the temperature of theair. The cooled air is then directed into the area to be cooled.

An evaporative cooler includes a number of elements all of which arestored in a housing. These elements typically include an air blower; amedia pad; a water distribution system; and an electric motor.Evaporative coolers need to be maintained on a periodic basis to replacethe media pads and to clean the water distribution system.

Evaporative cooler systems are commonly used in warm areas havingrelatively low humidity to produce cool air for use to cool the interiorof houses, businesses and other structures at a relatively low cost.Such systems employ an evaporative cooler having a cabinet-like housingwith one or more cooler pads located on the outer edge(s) of thehousing. The evaporative cooler housing is typically located on or nearthe structure to pull warm air into the cooler, cool the air and deliverit through one or more vents located in the structure to distribute coolair in the structure's interior. Cooling of the warm air is achieved bypulling warm air across the wetted cooler pad or pads with the use of afan or blower mounted inside the housing. A water circulation systemincluding a pump, source of water and a water distribution mechanismlocated inside the housing supplies water to the cooler pad to keep itin a wetted condition so that it can effectively cool the warm incomingair by evaporation.

The typical evaporative cooler housing is made into a square orrectangular shaped open frame, although other shapes are also suitable,that is configured to demountably hold a cooler pad containmentstructure at the open faces of the housing frame. Typically, the coolerpad containment structure contains the cooler pad in an upright positionso that water from the water circulation system flows down across andthrough the cooler pad to wet substantially the entire absorbent mediain the cooler pad. In general, the cooler pad is sized and configured tofit inside the containment structure so as to completely fill the openfaces of the housing frame.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of someof the innovative features unique to the embodiments disclosed and isnot intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of thevarious aspects of the embodiments can be gained by taking the entirespecification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.

It is, therefore, one aspect of the present invention to provide for animproved evaporative cooler system and method thereof.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for a waterconservation system for an evaporative cooler

It is further aspect of the present invention to provide for the use ofone or more sensors for monitoring the moisture and/or humidity contentof evaporative cooling pads for water conservation thereof.

It is yet a further aspect of the present invention to provide for theuse of probes for measuring the resistance of evaporative cooling padsfor water conservation thereof.

The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can nowbe achieved as described herein. A water conservation system for anevaporative cooler is disclosed, which includes one or more sensorlocated proximate to one or more evaporative cooler pads of anevaporative cooler. The sensor(s) detects moisture levels associatedwith the evaporative cooler pad. A controller can be provided, whichcommunicates with the sensor and a pump for delivering water to theevaporative cooler pad, wherein the controller automatically turns thepump on or off, depending upon a moisture level of the evaporativecooler pad detected by the sensor in order to conserve water duringoperations of the evaporative cooler. The disclosed system may alsoutilize a processor that communicates with the controller and thesensor, wherein the processor processes instructions for monitoringmoisture levels of the evaporative cooler pad by the sensor.Additionally, the disclosed system includes a memory for storinginstructions for monitoring moisture levels of the evaporative coolerpad by the sensor. A power source can also be provided for delivery ofpower to the sensor(s) and the controller and associated electroniccomponents. Such a power source may be, for example, a solar powerdevice.

Additionally, a water conservation system for an evaporative coolerincludes one or more probes located proximate to one or more evaporativecooler pads of an evaporative cooler. The probe(s) detects resistancelevels associated with the evaporative cooler pad. A controllercommunicates with the probe(s) and a valve for delivering water to theevaporative cooler pad, wherein the controller automatically turns thevalve on or off, depending upon a moisture level of the evaporativecooler pad detected by the probe(s) in order to conserve water duringoperations of the evaporative cooler.

Thus, a sensor(s) may be configured to measure the resistance throughthe pad between different probes points on the pad using a controller.If resistance is above a certain threshold, then the pump is turned on,if the resistance is below a threshold, then the pump remains off.Another aspect is that the controller can cause a valve associated witheach pad to open and close depending on if the particular pad needsmoisture or not. This will result in further water savings by notwetting pads that are already sufficiently moist (which would be thecase where the sun in the late afternoon is mostly drying out one sideof the evaporative cooler), while the side without direct sun remainsmoist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification,further illustrate the embodiments and, together with the detaileddescription, serve to explain the embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an evaporative cooler, whichcan be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the evaporative cooler depicted inFIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a cooling pad and one or more sensors,which can be implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of system, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of system, in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of operations depicting logicaloperational steps of a method that can be implemented in accordance withan embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a system, in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of the solar power source depicted inFIG. 7, in accordance with an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limitingexamples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least oneembodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an evaporative cooler 10, whichcan be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the evaporative cooler 10depicted in FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Note that in FIGS. 1-2, identical or similar parts orelements are generally indicated by identical reference numerals. Theevaporative cooler 10 depicted in FIG. 1 generally includes a housing 12that surrounds a motor 38 and one or more evaporative cooling pads 40,41, etc. In the side view of evaporative cooler 10 depicted in FIGS. 2,only two evaporative cooling pads 40, 41 are shown.

It can be appreciated that at least two other evaporative cooling padsare utilized in association with the box-shaped or rectangular-shapedevaporative cooler 10 for a total of four cooling pads. Housing 12 alsosurrounds and maintains a recirculation pump 32 and a pump screen 30. Aduct 26 leads to a home, facility or other area requiring cooling. Theduct connects with and enters the evaporative cooler 10 through thehousing 12. Additionally, the housing 12 protects and surrounds a float28 located near a blower 42.

A blower motor 42 drives belts 44, which in turn assists in driving theblower 42. One or more water distribution lines 36, specifically lines14, 15 and 17 are generally maintained within housing 12 and connect tothe recirculation pump 32. The blower 42 draws air into the evaporativecooler 10 as indicated by arrows 16, 18 and 20, 22 through the pads 40,41. The pads 40, 41, etc retain water supplied via lines 14, 15, 17 andso on. Cool air is forced out of the evaporative cooler 10 through theduct 26 to the home, facility or other area requiring cooling.

The cooling pads 40, 41 may be formed from, for example excelsior (woodwool) (aspen wood fiber) inside a containment net, but materials, suchas some plastics and melamine paper, may be used as cooler-pad media.Wood absorbs some of the water, which allows the wood fibers to coolpassing air to a lower temperature than some synthetic materials. Thethickness of the padding media plays a large part in cooling efficiency,allowing longer air contact. For example, an eight-inch-thick pad withits increased surface area will be more efficient than a one-inch pad.

In the context of residential and industrial evaporative cooling, theevaporative cooler 10 may utilize direct evaporation and the housing 12may be formed as an enclosed metal or plastic box with vented sidescontaining a centrifugal fan or blower 42, electric motor 38 withpulleys and the water pump 32 to wet the evaporative cooling pads 40,41. The units can be mounted on a roof (down draft, or down flow), orexterior walls or windows (side draft, or horizontal flow) of buildings.To cool, the blower 42 draws ambient air through vents on the sides ofevaporative cooler 10 and through the damp pads 40, 41. Heat in the airevaporates water from the pads 40, 41 (and the other two pads not shownin FIG. 2), which are constantly re-dampened to continue the coolingprocess. Thus cooled, moist air is then delivered to the building viathe vent or duct 26 in the roof or wall.

Because the cooling air originates outside the building upon which theevaporative cooler 10 is located, one or more large vents must exist toallow air to move from inside to outside. Air should only be allowed topass once through the evaporative cooler 10, or the cooling effect willdecrease. This is due to the air reaching the saturation point. Often 15or so air changes per hour (ACHS) occur in spaces served by evaporativecoolers.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a system 50 for monitoring andconserving water with respect to the evaporative cooler 10 depicted inFIGS. 1-2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.System 50 can be configured for use with the evaporative cooler 10 inorder to conserve water. As indicated in FIG. 3, cooling pad 40 may belocated proximate one or more sensors 52, 54, 56, 58. The sensors 52,45, 56, 58 are located at strategic locations at various locationsproximate to and/or on the cooling pad 40 in order to detect aparticular moisture threshold associated with water present in thecooling pad 40.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of system 50, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. System 50 can be configured toinclude a sub-system 60 composed of a controller 61, a microprocessor62, and a memory 64. The sub-system 60 may be implemented as, forexample, a computer chip or other device containing at least thecontroller 61, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 62 and the memory 64. Thesub-system 60 can communicate electrically with the pump 32 of theevaporative cooler 10. The sub-system 60 also can communicate with thesensors 52, 54, 56, and 58 via an electrical bus or other electricalconnection 63. The sub-system 60 may be provided in the form of anintegrated circuit chip, or components on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board)or even in the context of standalone components linked electronically toone another.

The controller 61, may be, for example, a microcontroller, essentially asmall computer configured on an integrated circuit chip that inassociation with the CPU 62 and the memory 64, depending upon designconsiderations. Such a chip may be equipped with support functions suchas, for example, a crystal oscillator, timers, watchdog, serial andanalog I/O etc. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM mayalso be included on the chip (e.g., sub-system 60), as well as memory64, which may be a small, read/write memory component. The controller 61thus functions as a microcontroller, in contrast to microprocessors usedin, for example, personal computers and other high-performanceapplications.

Note that although four sensors 52, 54, 56, and 58 are depicted in FIG.3, it can be appreciated that fewer or more sensors may be utilized withrespect to pad 40, depending upon design considerations. For example, insome situations only a single sensor may be required. In othersituations five or more sensors may be desired. The use of four sensors52, 54, 56, and 58 is thus discussed herein for general illustrativepurposes only. It can be further appreciated that the system 50 can beconfigured for use with pad 41 and other pads associated with theevaporative cooler 40.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of system 50, in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention. The configuration ofsystem 50 depicted in FIG. 5 is similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4,the difference being that the sensors 52, 54, 56, 58 are eachrespectively associated with antennas 53, 55, 57, 59. The sub-system 60is associated with an antenna 51. The sub-system 60 can thus communicatewirelessly with sensors 52, 54, 56, 58. The sub-system 60 includescontroller 61, microprocessor 62, and memory 64. The sub-system 60 cancommunicate electrically with the pump 32 of the evaporative cooler 10.

In the alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the system 50 may beimplemented as a low power wireless sensor network that use motes, whichare wireless transceivers with well defined I/O and standard antennaconnectors, integrated with micro sensors such as sensors 52, 54, 56,58. Motes communicate with each other to pass the sensor data to anaccess point such as sub-system 60. In general, the antennas 51, 53, 55,57, 59 may be any transducer capable of converting electrical intowireless broadcast signals. Examples of transducers include antennas,such as those typically used in wireless radio frequency (RF)communications; electrical-optical converters, such as light emittingdiodes, lasers, photodiodes; and acoustic devices, such as piezoelectrictransducers.

In a particular embodiment, each of the antennas 51, 53, 55, 57, 59 mayimplemented as a microstrip patch antenna. Microstrip patch antennas arerelatively small compared with other resonant antennas, such as dipoleantennas, operating over the same frequency range. Microstrip patchantennas are also rugged, easily designed and fabricated and relativelyinexpensive. In other embodiments, each of the antennas 51, 53, 55, 57,59 may functions as transceivers or in association with separatetransmitters and receivers, depending upon design considerations.

In the configurations depicted in FIGS. 3-5, when a particular moisture(or humidity) threshold is attained, instructions stored in memory 64are processed by the CPU 62 and sent to the controller 61 to turn thepump 32 on or off, depending upon the threshold value. The sensors 52,54, 56, 58 monitor the amount of water in the pad 40. Assuming the pump40 is operating and delivering water to the pad 40, if the sensors 52,54, 56, 58 detect a particular amount of water in the pad 40 above aparticular threshold value, then the controller 61 turns the pump 32off. When the moisture level in pad 40 detected by sensors 52, 54, 56,58 drops below the particular threshold value, the controller 61 isinstructed to turn the pump 32 back on. In this manner, water usage withrespect to the evaporative cooler 10 is conserved.

The pad 40 and other pads associated with the evaporative cooler 10retain a certain amount of moisture and/or water even after the pump 32is turned off. The evaporative cooler 10 can continue to operateeffectively for a particular amount of time after the pump 32 is turnedoff. When the pads become too dry, sensors such as sensors 52, 54, 56,58 detect this “dryness” and the data collected by sensors 52, 54, 56,58 is transmitted to the sub-system 60, which then determines to turnthe pump 32 back on and deliver water to the pad 40 and other padsassociated with the evaporative cooler 10.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of operations depicting logicaloperational steps of a method 600 that can be implemented in accordancewith an embodiment. As indicated at block 602, the process begins. Next,as indicated at block 604, a cooler pad(s), such as, for example, pad40, can be monitored by one or more sensors, such as, for example,sensors 52, 54, 56, 58. Note that although four sensors 52, 54, 56, 58are discussed herein for general illustrative purposes, more or fewersensors may be employed, depending upon design goals and considerations.

Thereafter, as illustrated at block 76, a test can be performed todetermine if the moisture associated with the pad is above a particularmoisture threshold. If the answer is “no” then the operation depicted atblock 74 is repeated followed by the operation depicted at block 76.Assuming the answer with respect to block 76 is “yes” then the operationillustrated at block 78 is processed, wherein the pump 32 isautomatically turned off. A test can then be performed as indicated atblock 80 to determine if the moisture associated with the pad has fallenbelow a particular moisture threshold. If the moisture has dropped belowthe threshold, then as indicated at block 82, the pump is automaticallyturned back on. Thereafter, as indicated blocks 84, 86, the process maycontinue or terminate.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of a system 70, in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention. Note that as indicatedearlier, identical or similar parts or elements are generally indicatedby identical reference numerals. System 50 can be configured to includea sub-system 60 composed of a controller 61, a microprocessor 62, and amemory 64. The sub-system 60 may be implemented as, for example, acomputer chip or other device containing at least the controller 61, CPU62 and the memory 64. The sub-system 60 can communicate electricallywith the pump 32 of the evaporative cooler 10. The sub-system 60 alsocan communicate with the sensors 52, 54, 56, and 58 via an electricalbus or other electrical connection 63.

Note that although four sensors 52, 54, 56, and 58 are depicted in FIG.7, it can be appreciated that fewer or more sensors may be utilized withrespect to pad 40, depending upon design considerations. For example, insome situations only a single sensor may be required. In othersituations five or more sensors may be desired. The use of four sensors52, 54, 56, and 58 is thus discussed herein for general illustrativepurposes only. It can be further appreciated that the system 50 can beconfigured for use with pad 41 and other pads associated with theevaporative cooler 40.

In the alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, a solar power source72 may be utilized to provide power to the system 70, or even just aportion of system 50, depending upon design considerations. In thismanner, system may be deployed on, for example, a rooftop in associationwith an evaporative cooler such as evaporative cooler 10 to monitor themoisture content of pads, such as pads 40, 41 and other associatedcooler pads.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of the solar power source 72 depictedin FIG. 7, in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The solar powersource 72 may include one or more solar cells such as solar cell 82,which is electrically coupled to a battery 84. Solar cell 82 isgenerally a photovoltaic cell or device that converts light directlyinto electricity by the photovoltaic effect. Note that the term solarcell may refer to devices intended specifically to capture energy fromsunlight, while the term photovoltaic cell may be used when the lightsource is unspecified. The terms solar cell and photovoltaic cell asutilized herein may be utilized interchangeably.

Note that the disclosed systems and method may be utilized withdifferent types of evaporative coolers. Evaporative cooler 10, forexample, may be implemented as different embodiments. There are twotypes of evaporative coolers: direct and indirect (all calledtwo-stage). In a direct evaporative cooler, the blower forces airthrough a permeable, water-soaked pad. As the air passes through thepad, it is filtered, cooled, and humidified. An indirect evaporativecooler has a secondary heat exchanger which prevents humidity from beingadded to the airstream which enters the home. Evaporative coolers can beused as a sole cooling system in a home, as an alternative coolingsystem to a conventional refrigerant air conditioner, or in combinationwith a refrigeration system. However, conventional air conditionersshould not be operated simultaneously with direct evaporative coolers,because air conditioners dehumidify while evaporative coolers humidify,and the two systems will work in opposition.

Evaporative coolers are sized based on cubic feet per minute (cfm) ofairflow. Airflow for evaporative coolers is typically higher thanconventional air conditioning systems. Two to three cfm per square footor three to four cfm per square foot in hot desert climates is typical.Improperly sized evaporative coolers will waste water and energy and maycause excess humidity or other comfort problems. Two-speed coolers areavailable that can handle varying cooling loads. Unlike air conditionedrooms, windows or ceiling vents need to be open when an evaporativecooling system is operating. The large volume of fresh air added to thehome replaces a significant amount of air that exits from the home.

Many systems incorporate bleed-off valve that purges water about everysix hours. This leads to an additional five gallons of water used perhour, but may be necessary to avoid mineral build-up. Bleed-off valvesare generally recommended.

Indirect, or two-stage, evaporative coolers do not add humidity to theair, but cost more than direct coolers and operate at a lowerefficiency. Two stage evaporative coolers combine indirect with directevaporative cooling. This is accomplished by passing air inside a heatexchanger that is cooled by evaporation on the outside. In the secondstage, the pre-cooled air passes through a water-soaked pad and picks uphumidity as it cools. Because the air supply to the second stageevaporator is pre-cooled, less humidity is added to the air, whoseaffinity for moisture is directly related to temperature. The result,according to one manufacturer, is cool air with a relative humiditybetween 50 and 70 percent, dependent on the regional climate. Atraditional system would produce about 80 percent relative humidity air.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a pad 40 equipped with one or moreprobes 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107, in accordance with analternative embodiment. FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a system90, which may be implemented in accordance with an alternativeembodiment. Note again that identical or similar references numeralsutilized herein refer generally to identical or similar parts orelements. Thus, system 90 depicted in FIG. 10 includes the use of atleast one evaporative cooler pad 40 with respect to the sub-system 60described earlier and pump 32 in the context of an evaporative coolingsystem such as, for example, evaporative cooler 10.

A number of probes 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107 can be positionedon or in the pad 40 to measure resistance through the pad 40 via varyingprobe points on the pad 40 utilizing controller 61 of the sub-system 60.Probe 93 is located one side of the pad and probe 95 located on theopposite side of the pad, and so on. Resistance can be measured between,for example, probes 93 and 95, probes 97 and 99, and so forth. Likewise,resistance may be measured between probes 93 and 99, 105 and 103, and soforth. It can be appreciated that fewer or more probes may be utilizeddepending upon design considerations. In some instances, for example,only two probes may be needed depending on the size of the pad, whereinone probe is located one side of the pad and the other probe is locatedon the opposite side of the pad. Note that the sub-system 60 may be, forexample, an integrated circuit chip or components located on a PCB(Printed Circuit Board) or may simply be composed of standalonecomponents that communicate with one another electronically. In theconfiguration depicted in FIGS. 9-10, if resistance is above a certainthreshold, then the pump 32 may be turned on. Likewise, if theresistance is below a particular threshold, then the pump 32 remainsoff.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of a system 110, in accordance withan alternative embodiment. The system 110 depicted in FIG. 11 is similarto that of system 90 depicted in FIG. 10, with the exception that thesystem 110 operates primarily from the management of controller 61. Theconfiguration depicted in FIG. 11 thus represents a simplified versionof the design shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of a system 112, in accordance withan alternative embodiment. The system 112 can be configured as avariation to the other embodiments disclosed herein. In theconfiguration shown in FIG. 12, the controller 61 (alone or a part ofsub-system 60 not shown in FIG. 12) can cause a valve 120 associatedwith pad 40 (e.g., each pad may be associated with its own valve or asingle valve may be associated with all pads of, for example,evaporative cooler 10) to open or close depending on if the particularpad, such as pad 40, needs moisture or not. In this context, thecontroller 61 can function as a valve controller. This will result infurther water savings by not wetting pads that are already sufficientlymoist, which would be the case, for example, where the sun in the lateafternoon is mostly drying out one side of the evaporative cooler 10,while the side without direct sun remains moist. In a typicalevaporative cooler, such as evaporative cooler 10, for example, fourevaporative cooler pads are employed. Each pad may be associated withits own valve, which is connected to pump 32 for the delivery througheach valve of water to the respective pads. It can be appreciated thatthe sub-system 60 may be utilized in association with system 112, andthat system 112 may be driven by a solar power source such as, forexample, solar power source 72 discussed earlier and/or can be modifiedwith wireless capabilities such as that depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flow chart of operations depicting a method 130for water conservation with respect to evaporative cooler 10 based on ameasured resistance threshold, in accordance with an alternativeembodiment. As indicated at block 132, the process begins. Thereafter,as indicated at block 134, the resistance of an evaporative cooler pad,such as, for example, pad 40, utilizing controller 61 and pads 93, 95,97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107 can be monitored. Next, as illustrated atblock 136, a test may be performed to determine if the monitoredresistance is above a particular threshold. If so, then as indicated atblock 138, the pump is turned on. Next, as indicated at block 140, atest can be performed to determine if the resistance is below aparticular threshold. If so, then as indicated at block 142, the pump 32is turned off. Thereafter, as illustrated at blocks 144, 146, theprocess may then end.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flow chart of operations depicting a method 140for water conservation with respect to evaporative cooler 10 based on ameasured resistance threshold, in accordance with an alternativeembodiment. The methodology disclosed in FIG. 14 is similar to thatdepicted in FIG. 13, the difference being that one or more valves, suchas, for example, valve 120, or others, may be controlled via controller61. As indicated at block 132, the process begins. Thereafter, asindicated at block 134, the resistance of an evaporative cooler pad,such as, for example, pad 40; utilizing controller 61 and pads 93, 95,97, 99 101, 103, 105, 107 can be monitored. Next, as illustrated atblock 136, a test may be performed to determine if the monitoredresistance is above a particular threshold. If so, then as indicated atblock 138, a particular valve, such as, valve 120 may be turned on, andwater delivered to the pad, such as pad 40. Next, as indicated at block140, a test can be performed to determine if the resistance is below aparticular threshold. If so, then as indicated at block 142, the valve120 is turned off. Thereafter, as illustrated at blocks 144, 146, theprocess may then end. Thus, the methodology depicted in FIG. 14instructs the controller 61 to cause the particular valves respectivelyassociated with each pad to open or close depending on if the particularpad requires moisture or not. This will result in further water savingsby not wetting pads that are already sufficiently moist (e.g., whichwould be the case where the sun in the late afternoon is mostly dryingout one side of the evaporative cooler), while the side without directsun remains moist.

An alternative version of evaporative cooler 10 is disclosed, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,906, entitled “Evaporative Cooler WaterDistribution System,” which issued on Sep. 5, 2006 and is incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety. Another example of an evaporativecooler, which may be utilized as evaporative cooler 10, is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 7,014,174, entitled “Evaporative Cooling System,” whichissued on Mar. 21, 2006 and is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. The cooling pads utilized in the evaporative coolers shown inU.S. Pat. No. 7,100,906 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,174 may be monitored forhumidity/moisture utilizing the disclosed system and/or method.

A number of different types of humidity or moisture sensing devicesand/or components may be utilized to implement the sensors disclosedherein. One type of sensor, for example, that may be utilized as sensors52, 54, 56, and/or 58 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,995, entitled“Humidity Sensor,” which issued on Dec. 6, 1994 and is incorporatedherein by reference. Another type of sensor that may be utilized, forexample, as sensors 52, 54, 56 and/or 58 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,615,654, entitled “Sensor Having Accelerated Moisture FormationMeans,” which issued on Sep. 9, 2003 and is incorporated herein byreference. A further example of a sensor that may be utilized as sensors52, 54, 56 and/or 58 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,129,713, entitled“Capacitive Sensor,” which issued on Oct. 31, 2006 and is incorporatedherein by reference. It can be appreciated that these non-limiting typessensors represent merely examples of potential types of sensors that canbe configured for use with the disclosed embodiments. Other types ofsensors may function equally as well, depending upon designconsiderations.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Additionally, it will also be appreciated that variations of theabove-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternativesthereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems orapplications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended tobe encompassed by the following claims.

1. A water conservation system for an evaporative cooler, said systemcomprising: at least one probe located proximate to an evaporativecooler pad of an evaporative cooler, wherein said probe detects at leastone of: resistance associated with moisture of said evaporative coolerpad, moisture of said evaporative cooler pad, and humidity within saidevaporative cooler pad; and a controller that communicates with said atleast one probe and a valve for delivering water to said evaporativecooler pad, wherein said controller automatically turns said valve on oroff, depending upon a particular resistance threshold of saidevaporative cooler pad detected by said sensor in order to conservewater during operations of said evaporative cooler.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising a processor that communicates with saidcontroller, wherein said processor processes instructions for monitoringsaid resistance of said evaporative cooler pad between at least twoprobes.
 3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a memory for storinginstructions for monitoring said resistance of said evaporative coolerpad by said at least two probes.
 4. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising a power source for delivering power to said controller andassociated electronic components.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein saidpower source comprises a solar power device.
 6. A water conservationsystem for an evaporative cooler, said system comprising: a moisturesensor located proximate to an evaporative cooler pad of an evaporativecooler, wherein said moisture sensor detects moisture levels associatedwith said evaporative cooler pad; and a controller that communicateswith said moisture sensor and a pump for delivering water to saidevaporative cooler pad, wherein said controller automatically turns saidpump on or off, depending upon a moisture level of said evaporativecooler pad detected by said moisture sensor in order to conserve waterduring operations of said evaporative cooler.
 7. The system of claim 6further comprising a processor that communicates with said controllerand said moisture sensor, wherein said processor processes instructionsfor monitoring moisture levels of said evaporative cooler pad by saidmoisture sensor.
 8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a memoryfor storing instructions for monitoring moisture levels of saidevaporative cooler pad by said moisture sensor.
 9. The system of claim 6further comprising a power source for delivering power to said moisturesensor and said controller and associated electronic components.
 10. Thesystem of claim 6 wherein said power source comprises a solar powerdevice.
 11. The system of claim 6 wherein said moisture sensor includesat least one probe located proximate to an evaporative cooler pad of anevaporative cooler, wherein said probe detects at least one of:resistance associated with moisture of said evaporative cooler pad,moisture of said evaporative cooler pad, and humidity within saidevaporative cooler pad.
 12. The system of claim 6 further comprising aprocessor that communicates with said controller, wherein said processorprocesses instructions for monitoring said resistance of saidevaporative cooler pad between at least two probes.
 13. The system ofclaim 12 further comprising a memory for storing instructions formonitoring said resistance of said evaporative cooler pad by said atleast two probes.
 14. The system of claim 10 further comprising a powersource for delivering power to said controller and associated electroniccomponents.
 15. The system of claim 10 wherein said power sourcecomprises a solar power device.
 16. The system of claim 11 furthercomprising a power source for delivering power to said controller andassociated electronic components.
 17. The system of claim 11 whereinsaid power source comprises a solar power device.
 18. An evaporativecooler system, comprising: at least two probes located on an evaporativecooler pad of an evaporative cooler, wherein said at least two probesdetect at least one of: a resistance between said at least two probes, amoisture of said evaporative cooler pad, and a humidity within saidevaporative cooler pad; and a controller that communicates with said atleast one probe and a valve for delivering water to said evaporativecooler pad, wherein said controller automatically turns said valve on oroff, depending upon a particular resistance threshold of saidevaporative cooler pad detected by said sensor and/or said moisture ofsaid evaporative cooler pad, and/or said humidity within saidevaporative cooler pad detected by said at least two probes, therebyconserving water during operations of said evaporative cooler.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18 further comprising: a processor that communicateswith said controller, wherein said processor processes instructions formonitoring said resistance of said evaporative cooler pad between atleast two probes and/or said moisture and/or said humidity; and a memoryfor storing instructions for monitoring said resistance of saidevaporative cooler pad and/or said moisture and/or said humidity by saidat least two probes.
 20. An evaporative cooler system, comprising: atleast two probes located on an evaporative cooler pad of an evaporativecooler, wherein said at least two probes detect a resistance betweensaid at least two probes associated with said evaporative cooler pad;and a controller that communicates with said at least one probe and avalve for delivering water to said evaporative cooler pad; a processorthat communicates with said controller, wherein said processor processesinstructions for monitoring said resistance of said evaporative coolerpad between at least two probes; a memory for storing instructions formonitoring said resistance of said evaporative cooler pad by said atleast two probes, wherein said controller automatically turns said valveon or off, depending upon a particular resistance threshold of saidevaporative cooler pad detected by said sensor in order to conservewater during operations of said evaporative cooler.